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Mike Hopkins leaves Syracuse for Washington: Reaction from media, players and more

Updated on March 19, 2017 at 3:29 PMPosted on March 19, 2017 at 1:30 PM

Mike Hopkins

Mike Hopkins cuts down the net after Syracuse's victory over Virginia in the 2016 NCAA Tournament, clinching a Final Four appearance. Hopkins is leaving Syracuse to take the men's basketball head coach position at the University of Washington.
(Photo: Stephen D. Cannerelli)

Hopkins replaces Lorenzo Romar, who was fired last week at Washington after 15 seasons as head coach. Washington had not made the NCAA Tournament in six straight seasons.

"He wants to build a legacy, felt like the opportunity was special at Washington, and also wanted to make sure he did right by his mentor and father figure, Jim Boeheim," a source close to situation told Goodman.

Hopkins' departure sparked a lot of reaction on social media Sunday from fans, players, media and more, including wondering what this means about Jim Boeheim's future at Syracuse. Boeheim was schedule to hand the head coaching job to Hopkins after the 2017-18 season in a deal announced by Syracuse University in 2015.

Here is a look at some of that reaction:

Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated writes that Hopkins' move to Washington is a wise one:

"He's 47, and along with avoiding the impending awkward transition, he also returns to his roots on the West Coast. Hopkins is from Southern California and starred at Mater Dei High School. He met with Washington officials on Friday in Syracuse and offered a simple pitch that he fancies himself more as a builder than a maintainer. (He has agreed to a six-year deal). "